cotswoldcycleguide directions:route1 This project has been funded by the Rural Transport Partnership; the Department for Transport and Cotswold District Council. 1 Starting at High Street, head northwards on B4035 towards Aston The personal pocket foldaway maps indicate a network of Subedge. A short distance after leaving the town you pass Kingcomb Lane on the left, safe quiet country lanes, which interconnect the market towns then very soon afterwards the road forks. Take the right fork along the B4081 towards and surrounding villages, railway stations, as well as visitor Mickleton. attractions. They give families and non-frequent cyclists a clearer idea of how to get round the Cotswolds by bicycle. After 0.3 mile take the minor road to Hidcote. Stay on this road until, after a steady climb, you come to a T-junction. Turn right. (Alternatively turn left for Hidcote Manor - NT). 2 There are six circular routes which are freely available at tourist information centres, libraries, village shops, as well as After a mile or so you reach the village of . Pass through the village until you post offices, or from the District Council Tourism reach a green with a large tree. The Ebrington Arms is on the far side of the green. Take section. Small wooden directional signs will be the lane to the right of the pub, 0.7 mile past Ebrington, cross the B4035. gradually installed on signposts at every junction to navigate the routes. After another 0.5 mile you join the B4479. Turn right and after bearing left you enter Paxford.

This guide contains: Very shortly after entering Paxford, turn left off the main road towards Aston Magna. This is a very quiet lane that crosses the gently rolling valley of Knee Brook. At the end of the route 1 lane, you reach Aston Magna. Turn right. Cycle up a gentle incline, over the railway route 2 bridge, then shortly afterwards turn left uphill towards . 3 *See Alternative Shortcut 1a Carry along this road until you come to a second crossroads where the road ahead reads Batsford Village only. Turn right up the steep hill which follows around the perimeter wall of Batsford Park. At the top of the hill, the road swings around sharply to the left, still following the wall of Batsford Park. Keep on this road until you reach the junction with the summary:route1 B4479, and then turn left. After a very short distance you reach the junction with the very busy A44. Turn right along the A44. After 0.4 mile, take the first minor road on the A varied and interesting 30 mile circular ride left. After 0.3 mile, cross the busy A424 and descend past Bourton Hill House into the through some of the best landscape in the north of beautiful woodland of Sezincote Warren. At the valley bottom, carry on up hill past the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Hinchwick Cottages. Continue along this lane for 1.2 miles until you reach the junction with the B4077. Cross the B4077 and ride along this quiet lane for about 1.5 miles, A clockwise circuit is suggested, which allows for including a steep climb up Kineton Hill, which ascends in three short, sharp stages. great views down Westington Hill into Chipping *See Alternative Shortcut 1b Campden. At the next minor junction turn right. After a short distance you’ll reach a crossroads. This is not a particularly difficult ride. It consists (Cotswold Farm Park is 0.5 mile to the right). 4 mostly of gentle inclines and descents, although Go straight across down into a valley and up the other side. After a mile or so, you’ll there are some steepish ascents around Batsford descend steeply into the Windrush valley. At the valley bottom, turn right and Park (Cadley Hill) and Kineton Hill. If you want to continue up the valley, ignoring the left turn to Guiting Power, past the hamlet of Barton get the hills out of the way early on you might where the road bridges the river, until you reach Kineton. Continue straight through the want to start your ride at Paxford or Ebrington. village, with the river below you to the right. Soon you will pass the turning for Temple Guiting. Eventually, you’ll reach the junction with the B4077 very near the village of Ford. The ride takes in valleys, woodland, sweeping Cross the B4077 and continue along the lane that follows the River Windrush. Ignore views, interesting villages and Chipping Campden, the turning to Cutsdean, a small village visible to the right. Soon you will pass through one of the best-preserved towns in Britain. Taddington. Beyond the village, continue up a series of gentle rises. You will pass over several minor crossroads until you reach Snowshill Lavender - several fields of striking The route mostly follows lightly trafficked rural deep purple colours on your left hand side. Herbs can be purchased from Hill Barn Farm. lanes, though there is a short (0.4 miles) stretch Take the left turn for Snowshill Manor (National Trust). 5 along the busy A44. Care also needs to be taken *See Shortcut 1c for further directions crossing other A & B classified roads. You will soon join a lane from your right, the lane then forks. The lane to the left takes you to Broadway Tower and Farm Park. (This route to Broadway Tower is much quieter and safer than that signposted later from the junction of the A44). After 1.5 miles, mostly descending, you’ll reach the A44. Cross the A44 and, after a mile or so along the B4081, you’ll start dropping down Westington Hill into Chipping Campden. There are great views of the town and its Church tower from here. Follow the main road into the town centre where you started the ride.

*SHORTCUTS / ALTERNATIVE ROUTES (Descriptions of the alternative shortcuts not included on this map are available from the following website: http://www.cotswold.gov.uk/planning/cycling) Crown Copyright Ordnance Survey Licence No. 100018800

1a Moreton-in-Marsh Station to Chipping Campden (6.2 miles) 1 Starting point Main route Take extra care! Teashop Railway Station Shops 1b Moreton-in-Marsh to Snowshill Manor (National Trust) (3.6 miles) 0 2km 1 Orientation point Alternative routes Public House National Trust Property Parking 1c Chalk Hill to Bourton-on-the-Hill (6.4miles) Directional arrows

As well as being environmentally friendly cycling is a healthy leisure pursuit, Research suggests that regular cycling helps to protect against a variety of illnesses and diseases. Aerobic activity is the most effective form of physical exercise strengthening the heart, lungs, muscles and body’s immune system as well as promoting positive mental health. This project brings together a shared commitment and joint action to promote ‘Active Transport’.